Heading out on your own for a solo adventure is a great way to experience Europe. However, it can present unique challenges that you don’t face when you’re on the road with friends or family — especially if you’re not used to striking out on your own. One of the biggest obstacles can be the price. » Read more
Europe: Budget Travel Guide
Americans heading off on a trip to Europe often wonder whether or not they should buy euros back home before taking off. Naturally, the thought of leaving for a foreign country without a single piece of foreign currency in your pocket can be an unnerving one. You can feel so, well, naked! So should you » Read more
On a recent trip, I spent two weeks visiting Paris and traveling around Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. To stay connected with my American iPhone this time around, I decided to try out a new strategy and buy a SIM card in Europe. Rather than purchasing what was then a $70 “Passport” package from AT&T » Read more
Attention Cheapos! The New York Times reported last night that fully vaccinated American tourists will be permitted to travel to all 27 European Union member countries this summer, according to an interview conducted with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Related: Tips for traveling to France during Covid-19 No official timeline has been announced, but one » Read more
Friends asked me throughout 2020, “When will you return to Europe?” My answer last March and April was, “Who the heck knows?” But now, as we’ve said goodbye to that ridiculously challenging year and hello to 2021, my answer has changed to, “hopefully Autumn.” Do I have a direct line to researchers developing a COVID-19 » Read more
Some of the world’s most renowned collections of art and artifacts call Europe home. But when you’re traveling on a budget, museum entry fees can add up in a hurry. So how can an art-loving Cheapo avoid paying the entry price? Our advice is to visit your top picks on the free or reduced price days, or » Read more
There’s nothing like spending a sunny day at the beach in Europe. During the summer, millions of tourists from around the world flock to beaches in popular destinations like Italy and the South of France. But many of the most famous sandy spots, like Cannes or San Remo, are too pricey and have little to » Read more
On the face of it, this should be a great time for Americans to think about traveling to Europe. Just a few years ago, it took $1.38 to buy a euro; today, a euro can be had for just $1.13. But despite this trend, Western Europe can still be expensive for Americans, and, for that matter, » Read more
While we’re firm believers in the idea that travel is about the experience and not the “stuff” (or budget, obviously), it’s sometimes nice to bring something back with you. Whether you’re picking up souvenirs for friends, family members or me, myself and I, we’ve gathered our best tips on what to buy, where to buy » Read more
When traveling on a shoestring budget, cutting out pricey cocktails and spendy alcohol seems like a given. But do you really have to? Probably not — in many European destinations boozy beverages don’t cost much. Sometimes they’re the same price or even less than soft drinks! For example, in Prague, beer is the cheapest thing » Read more
While even the cheapest of Cheapos most likely envision their European meals as traditional sit-down affairs, sometimes hunger hits on the go. So what’s a hungry Cheapo to do? Do as the locals do. Grab a quick and affordable snack! More cheap travel tips in Europe: • 10 Ways to save time and money before your » Read more
Does Europe on the cheap sound too good to be true? We’re here to tell you that it is possible! Beyond the fact that getting to Europe is truly cheaper than ever from the US (with crazy bargains on budget airlines), there are lots of ways to save once you’re across the pond, too. You » Read more
Whether you’re in Berlin, Lisbon or Paris, chances are high that there is a monument visitors flock to for sweeping views of the city and beyond. And sure, you’re always welcome to shell out a few euros to climb the stairs or hop an elevator for a bird’s eye perspective. But why would you when » Read more
Destinations in Southern Europe like Portugal, Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Bulgaria have a well-earned reputation as budget travelers’ paradises. Even the admittedly more expensive destinations in Italy (like Rome, Venice, and Florence) easily compete when it comes to cost with similarly popular cities up north. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any tricks to make the » Read more
Shorter jaunts to Europe are nothing to sniff at, but what about when you’d like to stay a little longer than a couple of weeks? Have you ever dreamed of taking a few months or even a year off to travel around Europe? Maybe you’ve finally saved up your money and vacation time, and you’re ready » Read more
Packing advice can get awfully proscriptive very quickly, and these tips are no exception. Bear with me. Before you start throwing everything you own into a bag, take a moment to think about strategy. With a few easy steps, you too can be hitting the road in Europe like a budget travel pro. I’ve been » Read more
We all know that feeling. You’re planning and booking your European adventure, and when you get to the end of a big-ticket purchase (like a round-trip airline ticket to Rome or a hotel room in London) a travel insurance box pops up and asks whether you want to insure your purchase in case something goes » Read more
As the end of the year approaches, we’re already thinking about our travel plans for 2016. At the top of our list is, as always, scoring affordable airfare. It’s time to set those airfare alerts and check them twice! Related: 7 Ways to save now on next year’s trip to Europe For most of us » Read more
For Americans, Europe looks set to be particularly budget-friendly this year. This is all well and good, as summer season is just around the corner. But favorable exchange rates only go so far; for most travelers, high-value and modest costs remain objectives. Below are a few affordable, attention-worthy European destinations. I came up with three of » Read more
Preparing to take off for a big European adventure? You’ve got your flights and hotels booked, and are already thinking about what to pack. The anticipation can be so much fun. However, as responsible Cheapos, we must point out that this is also a critical moment to examine the “small print” of your trip. After » Read more
How much will it really cost you to rent a car in Europe? You know that the price you see on car rental websites isn’t the final cost—as it doesn’t include insurance, gas and other incidentals. But how much are those extra charges? On past trips, I’ve made the mistake of underestimating these other charges, imagining that » Read more
